Sealing device



Sept. l1, 1928. 1,683,640

' E. F. wElsE s'EALINe btWIcE Original Filed Aug. 12. 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet v1 www n Sept. l1, 1928. 1,683,640

E. F. wElsE SEALING DEVICE Original Filed Aug. 12. 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 11, l1928.

j UNITED STATES 1,683,640 PATENT- ol-frlcu.

EDMUND F. wnIsE, or HOUSTON, TEXAS, AssIGNoR To HOWARD F. SMITH, `or Immers COUNTY, TEXAS.

SEALING DEVICE.

Application llfed August 12, 1919, Serial No. 316,943. Renewed September 7, 1923.

j The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a sealing device, particularly adapted for use Vin oil wells, and designed for forming a4 seal or water tight joint 6 between the screen which is set in the oil bearing strata and the casing which lines the bore. One object of the invention is to provide a seal designed to be interposed between the upper end of the well screen and the lower end l of the casing to form a fluid tight joint between them. The device, however, may be used whenever it is desired to form a fluid tight joint between pipes in a well bore.

Vith the above and other objects in view. l the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: Y

The figure shows a vertical sectional View of the seal in position shown in its relation to the screen.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l, refers to the casing which isrusually set in a well bore. This casing ordinarily extends down approximately to the oil bearing strata, and the hplc is then bored through said strata below the casing, and the screen 2, is set in the strata. The

screen is usually considerably smaller in diameter than the casing. so as to permit the couplings, which connect the joints of pipe by means of which the screen is suspended, to readily pass down through the casing, and before the well is brought in, it is necessary to seal up the space within the casingsurrounding the upper end'of the screen so as tO prevent the oil and gas from passing up on the 4u Outside of the screen into theV casing. The

numeral 3 designates a short pipe section which is connected to the upper end of the screen by, means of the coupling 4, and surrounding this section, there is the upwardly flared ring 5, preferably formed of vlead or other soft metal. This ringis fastened to the section 3 by means of annular ribs as 6, which are integral with the ring and which are seated in annular peripheral grooves car- 5o` ried by the section 3, and the lower end of the ring fits within the upper flared end of the coupling 4. Surroundingr the upper endof the pipe section 3, therev is a wedge like sleeve 7,` which tapers downwardly and whose K55 lower end fits within the upper end of the vgroove above said abutment, an expansible ring 5. When the well is completed, the screen is let down through the casing in the usual way and set in the oil bearing strata. This is done before the ring is expanded. The wedge like sleeve 7 is then driven downwardly within the ring 5 causing said ring to expand against the casing on all sides, thus forming a tight joint and preventing the flow of fluid orgas up around the screen and into j the casing above the screen. The upper end of the section 3 has a plurality of annular grooves, as 8, and there is a flat spring 9. fastened at its upper end to the sleeve 7, and whose lower end carries a dog l0, having a bevelled free end, said dog projecting through an aligned hole, in the sleeve and engaging in the corresponding groove 8. This arrangement provides for the securing of the sleeve 7 in position, and without some such arrangement, thestrong gas pressure against the ring 5 from underneath, might force said sleeve V7 upwardly and permit the collapsing of the sealing ring and the escape of gas and fluid up around it. Y

Vhat I claim is:

1. A sealing device including a tubular support, an Vannular abutment around the support whose upper end is outwardly flared, said support having anv annular external sealing ring around said support whose lower end is tapered and fitted within the upper flared end of said abutment, an'annular internal rib on said ring which lits into said groove, an annular wedge around the supportA adapted to wedge between the support and ring to expand the ring and whose lower end is inwardly tapered the upper end of said wedge extending above the support and being inwardly thickened. 9g; 2. A sealing` device including a tubular support, an annular abutment laround the support whose upper end is outwardly flared, said supportv having an annular externalv groove above said abutment, an expansible 104| sealing ring around said, support whose lower Y end is tapered and fitted within .the upper flared endof said abutment, an annular inter` nal rib on said ring which lits into said j groove, an annular wedge around the support 105 adapted to wedge between the support and ring to expand the. ring and whose lower end is inwardly tapered, the upper end of the ring extendingabove the support and having an annular smooth upper end face. Y l

ternal rib on said ring Whichfits into said groove, an annular Wedgetted over and extending above the support adapted to wed e between the support and ring to expand tie ring and Whose lower end is inwardly tapered, the upper end of the ring being inwardly thickened to provide a Wide annular upper end" face, and means for interlocking the `Wedge with said support.

In testimony whereof he has signed his name to this specification.

EDMUND F. WEISE. 

